In late June 2026, WCA, MHCA, CARM and Merit published a survey to learn more about how the Manitoba Jobs Agreement (MJA) is affecting the bidding habits of local contractors. The results are damning.

Over 70% of respondents said they avoided bidding on projects because of the Manitoba Jobs Agreement. When contractors avoid bidding jobs, competition goes down and costs go up - and the taxpayer foots the bill.

Even worse - 83% of respondents said the Manitoba Jobs Agreement means they’re less likely to bid on jobs in the future. Only one single respondent said the MJA makes them more likely bid. This means Manitoba Contractors will be shut out from jobs paid for by their government.

The numbers don’t lie, but the comments left by the industry paint an even darker picture of the Manitoba Jobs Agreement. More than two thirds of respondents left a comment - here are just a few, below in text and on the right side of this page on red flags:

“We won't bid on MJA projects. It does not create more Manitoba jobs.. but the opposite.”

“We have been forced to not bid on several projects that we would have bid on otherwise. We will not pursue and projects with the MJA.”

“We are not prepared to being subject to union oversight when we have chosen to be an open shop contractor. The increased cost to taxpayers and small construction companies is outrageous and anti-competitive.”

“If we see the MJA we drastically increase our price due to the workload it places on the office, payroll, administration and cost to complete”

“The MJA is an insult to open shop equality and inclusivity in the construction industry from a government the preaches inclusivity to all.”

“The MJA puts our teams benefits at risk, and some of our team would have to take pay cuts to work on these sites. This is unacceptable, for our Government to act in a way that hurts the average worker.”